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Abstract:
This study investigated the development of bio-
logical soil crusts (biocrusts) in an early successional sub-
tropical forest plantation and their impact on soil erosion.
Within a biodiversity and ecosystem functioning experiment
in southeast China (biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
(BEF) China), the effect of these biocrusts on sediment deliv-
ery and runoff was assessed within micro-scale runoff plots
under natural rainfall, and biocrust cover was surveyed over
a 5-year period.
Results showed that biocrusts occurred widely in the ex-
perimental forest ecosystem and developed from initial light
cyanobacteria- and algae-dominated crusts to later-stage
bryophyte-dominated crusts within only 3 years. Biocrust
cover was still increasing after 6 years of tree growth. Within
later-stage crusts, 25 bryophyte species were determined.
Surrounding vegetation cover and terrain attributes signif-
icantly influenced the development of biocrusts. Besides
high crown cover and leaf area index, the development of
biocrusts was favoured by low slope gradients, slope ori-
entations towards the incident sunlight and the altitude of
the research plots. Measurements showed that bryophyte-
dominated biocrusts strongly decreased soil erosion, being
more effective than abiotic soil surface cover. Hence, their
significant role in mitigating sediment delivery and runoff
generation in mesic forest environments and their ability to
quickly colonise soil surfaces after disturbance are of par-
ticular interest for soil erosion control in early-stage forest
plantations.
